In an unusual series of events, two major test flights by leading private aerospace companies Blue Origin and SpaceX encountered significant setbacks yesterday, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate mishap investigations for both.
Blue Origin's New Glenn lifts off on its maiden flight. Credit: Blue Origin
Blue Origin’s debut flight of the New Glenn-1 rocket marked a bittersweet milestone. While the heavy-lift rocket successfully placed its second stage into orbit, its reusable first stage failed to land as planned on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starship Integrated Flight Test-7 (IFT-7) ended abruptly when the second stage disintegrated mid-air over the Caribbean near the Turks and Caicos Islands, scattering debris across the area.
Two Test Launches, Two Setbacks
Space launches are increasingly routine in the United States, but yesterday was exceptional, with two massive test flights taking place just hours apart.
Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, conducted the maiden launch of its New Glenn rocket at 2:03 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Later that day, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, launched its seventh test flight of the Starship/Super Heavy system at 5:37 p.m. ET from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
The launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn proceeded largely as expected, achieving orbit for its second stage. However, the mission’s first stage—a reusable booster designed for up to 25 flights—failed to complete its planned landing. The booster successfully separated from the second stage approximately 5.5 minutes after liftoff and attempted to return to a barge named Jacklyn, after Bezos’s mother, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Blue Origin’s webcast showed the booster’s three BE-4 engines re-igniting for descent approximately 7.5 minutes post-launch. However, the livestream abruptly froze, and moments later, commentator Ariane Cornell confirmed the first stage was lost. Blue Origin President David Limp later admitted the landing attempt was an “ambitious goal” for the first flight, adding that they aim to try again in the spring. The company has yet to provide further details on what went wrong.
SpaceX's Starship/Super Heavy lifts off on its seventh test flight. Credit: SpaceX
Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starship IFT-7 test began with promise. The Super Heavy booster executed a flawless liftoff and returned to its launch tower, where it was caught by mechanical arms known as “chopsticks.” It was only the second time such a maneuver had been accomplished.
However, the second stage, Starship, experienced engine failures during its eastward flight over the Gulf of Mexico toward the Caribbean. SpaceX quickly lost contact with the vehicle, and videos from the Turks and Caicos Islands revealed its fiery disintegration during reentry. The debris created a temporary airspace hazard, forcing the FAA to briefly reroute aircraft in the region.
FAA Steps In
The FAA, which oversees the safety of commercial space launches and reentries, has directed both Blue Origin and SpaceX to conduct mishap investigations before issuing further launch licenses. The investigations, conducted with FAA oversight, aim to determine the causes of the anomalies and implement corrective measures.
The FAA emphasized that while no injuries have been reported, they are investigating potential damage to public property caused by the Starship debris.
Contrasting Responses
Blue Origin’s response to the incident has been measured, with the company focusing on refining its landing system for future launches. “We’ve identified key improvements and are already targeting a retry this spring,” Limp said.
Elon Musk, however, struck a confident tone despite the Starship failure. In a statement, Musk attributed the issue to “an oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship engine firewall” and expressed optimism about conducting the next test flight as early as next month. “Nothing suggests we need to delay the next launch,” Musk stated, reiterating SpaceX’s goal to launch Starship 25 times in 2025.
Implications for the Space Industry
Yesterday’s events underscore the challenges of developing reusable heavy-lift rockets, a critical component of future space exploration and commercial ventures. While the failures highlight the inherent risks of spaceflight, they also reflect the rapid pace of innovation as companies push the boundaries of technology.
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